🎧Deep Dive: CentralRetinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO)

Today’sepisode is all about CRVO — one of the most important ophthalmic causes ofsudden, painless vision loss. Whether you're revising for the MSRA, prepping for clinic, or just trying to make sense of this classic"blood and thunder" condition 👁️⚡— we’ve got you covered.

🧠What’s Inside theEpisode?

✅Definition: What exactly is CRVO and why does a retinal veinblockage matter so much?

✅Types: Learn the difference between non-ischemic vs. ischemic CRVO — and why it matters for prognosis.

✅Mnemonic alert: “Age, Pressure, Sweetness, Heart” 💡 toremember the key risk factors:

– Ageing

– Hypertension

– Diabetes

– Cardiovasculardisease

• don’t forget glaucoma & polycythaemia!

✅Pathophysiology:

Blockedvein ➡️ congestion ➡️ ischemia ➡️ VEGF ➡️👎 new fragile vessels = riskof neovascularglaucoma, bleeding, and vision loss.

(Think of VEGF hereas a well-meaning friend who just makes things worse!)

✅Clinical features:

– Sudden, painless monocular vision loss

– Blood &thunder fundus (widespread haemorrhages, dilated veins, cotton wool spots)

– Often with macularoedema or altitudinal visual field defects

–Check for relativeafferent pupillary defect in ischemicCRVO 👁️‍🗨️

✅Investigations:

🖥️OCT – shows macular oedema

💉Fluoresceinangiography – shows ischemia &leakage

🔍 Fundoscopy

• Bloods: FBC, ESR, CRP, clotting screen, lipids, glucose, BP, ECG, and more
  (especially in younger or idiopathic cases)

✅Management:

💉Intravitrealanti-VEGF injections = first line formacular oedema and neovascularisation

🔥 Laser photocoagulation if needed

📈 Control systemic risk factors — BP, diabetes,cholesterol

🚨 Urgent ophthalmology referral (ideally within 24 hours) if suspected

✅Prognosis:

– Depends onischemic status and macular involvement

– Non-ischemic: ~10% recover full vision, but upto ⅓ can convert to ischemic

– Ischemic: Poorer prognosis, 50% risk of irisneovascularisation

– Long-termmonitoring essential, including risk of CRVO inthe other eye

✅Complications:

– Persistent macularoedema

– Vitreoushaemorrhage

– Tractional retinaldetachment

– Neovascular glaucoma (watch for rising IOP!)

🎯Final takeaways:

CRVO =Sudden, painlessvision loss in one eye ➡️needs urgent ophthalmology referral 🚨

🧠 Remember: Age, Pressure, Sweetness, Heart ❤️

And: Time = vision ⏱️👁️

🧩 Whether you're revising for the MSRA or want tounderstand how systemic health affects eye disease, this deep dive brings itall together — clear, concise, and clinically relevant.

🧪Explore moreMSRA-friendly revision resources:

🔗 CRVO Revision Notes:

https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/central-retinal-vein-occlusion-revision-notes/

🧠 CRVO Flashcards:

https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/central-retinal-vein-occlusion-flashcards/

📚 Accordion Q&A Notes:

https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/central-retinal-vein-occlusion-accordion-qa-notes/

🔥 Rapid Quiz:

https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/central-retinal-vein-occlusion-rapid-quiz/

📝 Practice questions:

https://www.passthemsra.com/quizzes/central-retinal-vein-occlusion/

📢 For more high-quality revision tools, flashcards,mock exams and more:

👉https://www.passthemsra.com

🎁 For free revision content, visit:

👉https://www.freemrsra.com

✅ Thanks for joining us in this Deep Dive on CRVO!

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